After a few chapters rooted in the relatively mundane, it was really refreshing to see you delve back into Pansy's damaged psyche. I'm starting to understand the connection here, at least I think I am. The more she isolates herself, the more tenuous her grasp on reality seems to become. It's very unfortunate for her that her N.E.W.T.s require such all-consuming focus. It's definitely not healthy for her.

I loved the frustration that she feels with her younger self and her failure to make the most of her studies. I think it's a sentiment that most of us can relate to on some level.

I get such mixed signals from Pansy's reflection. Sometimes so very supportive and other times oddly distant and vexing to her. The thing that's really starting to worry me as far as Pansy's ongoing recovery is concerned is the fact that her reflection never appears when Astor is around. In fact, not even when Astor or anybody else can be heard. The obvious answer here is that her reflection is completely a delusion. Somehow, though, that seems a bit too... I don't know, easy.

Her dream at the end of the chapter struck me as important. I have developed a suspicion as far as what's really going on. It may be totally unfounded, in which case I'll just feel silly, but it hit me when you were describing the "other" Pansy who was attired for a wedding. If you like, I'll PM it to you so I don't possibly ruin anything for anybody else. A few things just clicked...

So I did notice one thing that read like a typo and another that just read oddly:

-- "the vibrant green grass fading to a dull yellow and the warm colours of the leaves decorated the grounds." - You have a tense-mismatch in this clause.

-- "even though she kinda did" - "kinda" is an odd word choice for Pansy. You've kept her dialog and even her inner monologue so formal up to this point. There's nothing strictly speaking wrong with it. It just seems a bit out of place.

Those two things aside, your writing was terrific as always!

So I'm going to go on nursing my suspicion unless you really want to know, in which case you can PM me. I'm still really enjoying the mysterious air of your story and if I'm right, it will be a brilliant twist! 'Til next time...

Author's Response: It's great to see yet another review from you!

You're mostly correct in your theory about Pansy's mental health. Pansy definitely becomes worse as she isolates herself, but there are also one or two other triggers. Fortunately for her, the N.E.W.T.s will happen in the next chapter, leaving her with more time to socialize.

You're also on the correct path with your guesses about her reflection but I don't know if I would call her reflection a delusion, necessarily... But she certainly isn't as real as Pansy thinks.

As well, her dream is important. I think I will take you up on your offer of a PM- I'm very curious to see what your theory is!

Thanks for pointing out those mistakes. I did feel like "kinda" was an awkward choice for Pansy but I couldn't think of another word to use in its stead. I suppose I'll have to rephrase the sentence to get around using that word... But you're definitely right in that it doesn't suit Pansy.

Thanks once again for reading and reviewing! I'm so glad that you're continuing to enjoy the story!